Chargers were one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NFL last season

The Chargers have threatened to place McNeill on the roster exempt list if he doesn't sign his contract tender by Friday. By being placed on the roster exempt list, he would face a three-game suspension once he's signed.

A person familiar with the situation confirmed the meeting to The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks.

Smith, McNeill and agent Alvin Keels didn't immediately return calls and e-mails seeking comment.

McNeill, who protects quarterback Philip Rivers' blind side, and Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson, unhappy at not getting long-term deals, are believed to be willing to sit out the season's first 10 games, returning for the final six games in order to accrue a season.

Keels confirmed last week that the Chargers have threatened to place McNeill on the roster exempt list. Jackson's agent, Neil Schwartz, didn't return a call or e-mail, but it would seem to follow suit that the Chargers would also threaten his client with the same treatment.

Jackson already has been suspended by the NFL for the first three games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Being placed on the roster exempt list would force them to move up their return, if they intend to play at all this year.

Despite a pathetic running game, which ranked next to last in the league, the Chargers were one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NFL last season. With a 28.4 points per game scoring average, the Chargers boasted the fourth-best scoring offense in the league.

Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers led the way in 2009, and his right arm will continue to be the focal point of the offense now that LaDainian Tomlinson is a New York Jet. Rivers threw for 4,254 yards and 28 scores with just nine interceptions, while finishing third in the NFL with a 104.4 quarterback rating.

Rivers benefits from having a pair of elite targets in the receiving corps. Antonio Gates is one of the premier pass catching tight ends in the NFL and Vincent Jackson is quickly emerging as a top notch wideout. This dynamic duo combined for 147 catches, 2,324 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

The Chargers were the second-worst rushing team in the NFL in 2009, only gaining 88.9 yards per game. While it was tough to part ways with one of the greatest backs in NFL history, San Diego's running game can't get any worse. If anything, it should get better with the fresh legs of first round draft pick Ryan Matthews and a healthier offensive line.

The San Diego defense was solid in 2009, only allowing 20.0 points per game (11th in the NFL), but the Chargers aren't satisfied. Their pass defense wasn't consistent. In fact, they ranked No. 20 in the NFL against the pass, giving up 209.2 yards per game. The Chargers can easily decrease that number if outside linebacker Shawne Merriman returns to form.

Merriman didn't look like himself in his first season back from a serious knee injury. He only tallied four sacks, after averaging 13.2 per year through his first three seasons.

The other Shaun, Shaun Phillips, continued his consistently good play with a seven-sack campaign. He has now recorded at least seven sacks each of the last five years. The Bolts are also looking for more production from Larry English in his second season.

Kevin Burnett and Stephen Cooper will join the aforementioned platoon to form a solid linebacker unit.

Big Luis Castillo leads the charge up front, with fellow vets Jacques Cesaire, Ryon Bingham, Travis Johnson, and Antonio Garay chipping in as well.

San Diego struggled to defend the pass last season, allowing 209.2 yards per game through the air (20th in the NFL). More production from Merriman or English will go a long way toward improving this area.

The Chargers shipped Antonio Cromartie to the Jets, but they like what they have in 2008 first round pick Antoine Cason. He joins shutdown corner Quentin Jammer to form a formidable cornerback duo.

Dez Bryant hasn't run, cut or juked for the Cowboys since injuring his ankle in the first week of training camp in San Antonio. He has, however, had his head buried in the playbook apparently.

Bryant said he passed offensive coordinator Jason Garrett's test after practice on Wednesday afternoon, proving he knew his plays, routes and splits.

"He just wanted to make sure that I was on top of my game and if I've been in my playbook," Bryant said. "He basically wanted to know if I had everything down."

Garrett worked with Bryant for nearly half an hour after the afternoon practice. Bryant still isn't allowed to run or cut on his ankle, so instead of showing Garrett the routes, he called them out. Apparently he did well enough to show Garrett he knew his stuff.

"He called the play out, he wanted me to go to my split, he wanted me to tell him what route I had and I was just calling it out for him and everything went well," Bryant said. "He just wanted to make sure that when it's time for me to go in, I'll be ready to go."